Tool for fastening a ski boot buckle

ABSTRACT

A tool for fastening a ski boot buckle assembly. The buckle assembly having a clamping loop pivotally secured to a first portion of a ski boot and an elongated tension lever pivotally secured to a second portion of the ski boot. The lever having transverse grooves formed along the bottom portion thereof. The clamping loop is inserted into one of the transverse grooves and the tool having a groove engaging cross bar inserted into one of the remaining transverse grooves. The handle of the tool engages a portion of the tension lever and by applying rotatable force the skier is able to rotate the tool thereby rotating the engaged lever to a closed position, thus completing the fastening of the buckle assembly.

14 1 Sept. 2, 1975 TOOL FOR FASTENING A SKI BOUT BUCKLE [76] inventor: Joseph F. Messenhaugh, 14400 Coles Rd Rt. 2, Edmond, Okla. 73034 22 Filed: Dec. 3, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 420,767

16/115, 120 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,336,891 4/1920 Corbin 24/71.3 2,490,739 12/1949 Nesbitt 16/114 X 2,608,890 9/1952 Andrews 81/3.46 R

3,203,058 8/1965 Roing 24/7l.3 X 3,242,542 3/1966 Take 24/7l.3 X 3,711,901 1/1973 Close 24/7l.3

D46,2l8 8/1914 Jacobus 81/3.46 R

Primary ExaminerRichard J. Herbst Assistant Examiner-Joseph A. Walkowski Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert M. Hessin [57] STRACT A tool for fastening a ski boot buckle assembly. The buckle assembly having a clamping loop pivotally secured to a first portion of a ski boot and an elongated tension lever pivotally secured to a second portion of the ski boot. The lever having transverse grooves formed along the bottom portion thereof. The clamping loop is inserted into one of the transverse grooves and the tool having a groove engaging cross bar inserted into one of the remaining transverse grooves. The handle of the tool engages a portion of the tension lever and by applying rotatable force the skier is able to rotate the tool thereby rotating the engaged lever to a closed position, thus completing the fastening of the buckle assembly.

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 2I975 3.902226 sum 1 0f 2 TOOL IFOR FASTENING A SKlI BOOT BUCKLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a tool for fastening ski boot buckles, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, ski boot buckle assemblies with clamping loops and tension levers having transverse grooves for engaging the clamping loops for the tightening of the ski boot to the skiers foot.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Heretofore there have been many types of tools and methods for attaching bands to hoses, mounting clips, tightening hose clamps, and tightening different types of fastening devices. Also, there are different types of buckle assemblies for fastening ski boots. But there has been no disclosure of a simple tool for aiding the skier in fastening his ski boot buckle assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses a tool for fastening a ski boot buckle assembly. The buckle assembly having a clamping loop pivotally secured to a first portion of the ski boot and an elongated tension lever pivotally secured to a second portion of the ski boot. The lever having transverse grooves formed in the bottom portion thereof. The tool having a groove engaging cross bar inserted into a selected groove and a handle positioned against the tension lever and by applying rotatable force to the handle, the tension lever is rotated to a closed position, thus aiding the skier in securing the buckle assembly on his ski boot.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a skier with a tool to aid him in the fastening of the buckle assembly secured to his ski boots.

A further object of this invention is to provide the skier with a similified method of using the subject tool.

It is well known to skiers that buckle assembies using a clamping loop which is inserted into a selected transverse groove along a portion of a tension lever are very difficult to fasten because of the tension necessary for the desired support of the foot in the ski boot or due to the stiffness of the ski boot or because the skier does not have the physical strength after inserting the clamping loop in a selected groove to rotate the tension lever to a closed position by hand.

It is therefore a further object to aid the skier by providing a tool to fasten the buckle assembly easily or until the skier is able to buckle his ski boots by hand.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed de scription of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a ski boot buckle assembly fastening tool.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ski boot buckle assembly fastening tool with an adjustable handle.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a ski boot buckle assembly fastening tool without an adjustable handle.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the tool shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tool, the buckle assembly and a portion of the instep of the ski boot.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the tool and buckle assembly shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the boot with the buckle as sembly being fastened in an open position.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the boot and the tool rotating the buckle assembly toward a closed position.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the boot and the tool upon completion of the rotation of the buckle assembly to a closed position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the boot and the tool with the buckle assembly in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, the ski boot buckle assembly fastening tool is shown as general reference character 10 having a handle 12 with a first end portion 14 and a second end portion 16, an arm 20, and a groove engaging cross bar 22.

FIG. 2 illustrates tool 10 formed out of a U-shaped rod 24 and a tubular rectangular shaped handle 26 having a first end portion 28 and a second end portion 30, two sides 32 and 34, and two open ends 36 and 38. The rod 24 has a bottom portion 40 and two parallel arms 42 and 44. The end portion of arm 42 is L-shaped and facing toward arm 44 to form a groove engaging cross bar 46. Cross bar 46 is substantially perpendicular to arms 42 and 44. The end portion 48 of arm 44 is L- shaped and facing toward arm 42 and is also substantially perpendicular to the arms 42 and 44 and is secured to a portion of arm 42.

FIG. 2A is the same tool 10 as shown in FIG. 2 but without handle 26. This illustation is shown because although it is desirable to include handle 26, L-shaped arms 42 and 44 of rod 24 could act as a handle for rotating the ski boot buckle assembly.

FIG. 3 is a top view of tool 10 illustrated in FIG. 2. The arms 42 and 44 are compressed inside the handle 26 and frictionally engage the inner surface of sides 32 and 34. I

FIG. 3 further illustrates the adjustability of handle 26 by slidably moving the handle 26 along the axis of arms 42 and 44 and positioning the first end portion 28 of handle 26 in closer proximity to the cross bar 46 than that which is shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of tool 10 being used in conjunction with a ski boot buckle assembly having a general reference character 50 and secured to a ski boot 52.

The assembly 50 is comprised of a clamping loop 52 pivotally secured to a first portion 54 of boot 52 and an elongated tension lever 56 having first end portion 58, second end portion 60, a top portion 62 and a bottom portion 64. The first end portion 58 being pivotally secured to a second portion 66 of the boot 52. The lever 56 is also shown with transverse grooves 68 formed in the bottom portion 64.

In FIG. 4, the tool 10 is shown in engagement with the assembly 50. The lever 56 is inserted through the loop 52 and loop 52 is positioned in a selected groove 68.

Groove engaging cross bar 46 is positioned in another selected groove 68 and the first end portion 28 of the handle 26 is positioned against the second end portion 60 of the top portion 62 of the lever 56. It should be pointed out while cross bar 46 is preferred in this disclosure to engage the transverse grooves 68, the assembly 10 is reversible and the U-shaped bottom portion 40 of the rod 24 could be used to engage the transverse grooves 68. Should the bottom portion 40 be used to engage a selected groove 68, the second end portion 30 of handle 26 is positioned against the second end portion 60 of the top portion 62 of the lever 56.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the tool 10, the assembly 50, and the boot 52 as shown in FIG. 4. The lever 56 is shown in an open position with the levers bottom portion 64 and grooves 68 exposed. Loop 52 is inserted into a selected groove 68 and the cross bar 46 is inserted into another selected groove 68. The first end portion 28 of handle 26 is shown underneath the bottom portion 64 of lever 56.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are front views of boot 52 and are shown to illustrate tool in operation to aid the skier in buckling assembly 50.

In operation, FIG. 6 shows the lever 56 rotated to an Open position and inserted through loop 52. Loop 52 is then inserted into a selected groove 68. The groove engaging cross bar 46 is inserted into another selected groove 68. The first end portion 28 of the handle 26 is positioned between the loop 52 and the top portion 62 of lever 56. As the handle 26 is raised, the first end portion 28 bears against top portion 62 of lever 56.

In FIG. 7 the tool 10 is now rotating the tension lever 56 about its first end portion 58 from an open position to a closed position. In turn the loop 52 being secured to the lever 56 is drawing the first portion 54 of boot 52 toward the second portion 66, of boot 52, thus tightening the ski boot 52 around the skiers foot.

FIG. 8 shows the completion of the operation with the lever 56 rotated to a closed position and the loop 52 locked inside one of the grooves 68. The locked loop 52 will remain in this position until the lever 56 is again opened and loop 52 removed from its secured position so that the skier can remove his foot from the boot 52. At this position the cross bar 46 can now be disengaged from the groove 68 and the tool 10 removed until it is again required.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the boot 52 shown in FIG. 8 and illustates tool 10 after it has completed the closing of lever 56 and securing loop 52 in a locked position.

The foregoing discuss on, description and operation of the ski boot buckle assembly fastening tool has been directed to certain preferred embodiments of this invention. However, it is to be understood that the discussion, description and operation is only intended to teach those skilled in the art how to practice the present invention and modification of the elements of the invention may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An improvement in the form of a tool for use in combination with a ski boot buckle asembly of the type which includes a clamping loop pivotally secured to a first portion of a ski boot and an elongated tension lever having first and second end portions and top and bottom portions with said first end pivotally secured to a second portion of the ski boot, the clamping loop being insertable in one of a plurality of transverse grooves formed in the bottom portion of the tension lever thereby to effect boot closure upon rotation of said tension lever away from said ski boot first portion, the improvement comprising:

a handle having a first and second end portion, the

first end portion engageable with the top portion of the tension lever second end for rotating the tension lever about the pivotally secured first end portion thereof in response to the application of force thereto;

an arm extending longitudinally from the first end portion of said handle; and

a groove engaging transverse bar integrally affixed to said arm, said groove engaging cross bar being insertable into a selected one of the plurality of transverse grooves of the tension lever for releasably securing the tool to the tension lever during boot closure operation.

2. The tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle is a solid handle formed from a plastic material.

3. The tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle, arm and groove engaging cross bar are formed from a metallic rod material.

4. An improvement in the form of a tool for use in combination with a ski boot buckle assembly, the assembly including a clamping loop pivotally secured to a first portion of a ski boot and an elongated tension lever having first and second end portions and top and bottom portions with said first end pivotally secured to a second portion of the ski boot, the clamping loop being insertable in one of a plurality of transverse grooves formed in the bottom portion of the tension lever, thereby to effect boot closure upon rotation of said tension lever away from said ski boot first portion, the improvement comprising:

an elongated, U-shaped rod of circular cross section having a bottom portion and a first and second arm extending therefrom, the first arm being longer than the second arm and the end portion of each respective arm being L-shaped to face toward the other arm in parallel and coplanar relationship, the end portion of the first L-shaped arm forming a groove engaging cross bar being insertable in the transverse grooves of the tension lever for releasably securing the tool to the tension lever, and the end portion of the second L-shaped arm abutting a portion of the first L-shaped arm as secured thereto and engageable with the top portion of the tension lever second end for rotating the tension lever about the first end portion thereof in response to the application of force thereto.

5. The tool as defined in claim 4 further characterized to include a tubular shaped handle having a first and second end portion and received around the first and second L-shaped arms, the first end portion engageable with the top portion of the tension lever and rotating the tension lever about the first end portion thereof in response to the application of force thereto, the groove engaging cross bar of the first arm extending outwardly from the first end portion of said handle.

6. The tool as defined in claim 5 wherein said handle is slidably adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the first and second arms of said U-shaped rod so that the bearing surface of the first end portion of said handle can be adjusted against the top portion of the tension lever and said handle can be adjusted to enclose and shield the groove engaging cross bar during storage.

7. The tool as defined in claim 5 wherein said tubular handle is generally of rectangular cross section.

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1. An improvement in the form of a tool for use in combination with a ski boot buckle asembly of the type which includes a clamping loop pivotally secured to a first portion of a ski boot and an elongated tension lever having first and second end portions and top and bottom portions with said first end pivotally secured to a second portion of the ski boot, the clamping loop being insertable in one of a plurality of transverse grooves formed in the bottom portion of the tension lever thereby to effect boot closure upon rotation of said tension lever away from said ski boot first portion, the improvement comprising: a handle having a first and second end portion, the first end portion engageable with the top portion of the tension lever second end for rotating the tension lever about the pivotally secured first end portion thereof in response to the application of force thereto; an arm extending longitudinally from the first end portion of said handle; and a groove engaging transverse bar integrally affixed to said arm, said groove engaging cross bar being insertable into a selected one of the plurality of transverse grooves of the tension lever for releasably securing the tool to the tension lever during boot closure operation.
 2. The tool as defined in claim 1 wherein saiD handle is a solid handle formed from a plastic material.
 3. The tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle, arm and groove engaging cross bar are formed from a metallic rod material.
 4. An improvement in the form of a tool for use in combination with a ski boot buckle assembly, the assembly including a clamping loop pivotally secured to a first portion of a ski boot and an elongated tension lever having first and second end portions and top and bottom portions with said first end pivotally secured to a second portion of the ski boot, the clamping loop being insertable in one of a plurality of transverse grooves formed in the bottom portion of the tension lever, thereby to effect boot closure upon rotation of said tension lever away from said ski boot first portion, the improvement comprising: an elongated, U-shaped rod of circular cross section having a bottom portion and a first and second arm extending therefrom, the first arm being longer than the second arm and the end portion of each respective arm being L-shaped to face toward the other arm in parallel and coplanar relationship, the end portion of the first L-shaped arm forming a groove engaging cross bar being insertable in the transverse grooves of the tension lever for releasably securing the tool to the tension lever, and the end portion of the second L-shaped arm abutting a portion of the first L-shaped arm as secured thereto and engageable with the top portion of the tension lever second end for rotating the tension lever about the first end portion thereof in response to the application of force thereto.
 5. The tool as defined in claim 4 further characterized to include a tubular shaped handle having a first and second end portion and received around the first and second L-shaped arms, the first end portion engageable with the top portion of the tension lever and rotating the tension lever about the first end portion thereof in response to the application of force thereto, the groove engaging cross bar of the first arm extending outwardly from the first end portion of said handle.
 6. The tool as defined in claim 5 wherein said handle is slidably adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the first and second arms of said U-shaped rod so that the bearing surface of the first end portion of said handle can be adjusted against the top portion of the tension lever and said handle can be adjusted to enclose and shield the groove engaging cross bar during storage.
 7. The tool as defined in claim 5 wherein said tubular handle is generally of rectangular cross section. 